Ulysee Williams, Jr., Petitioner,v.Anthony J. Principi, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionFeb 17, 2004
03a40018 (E.E.O.C. Feb. 17, 2004)

03a40018

02-17-2004

Ulysee Williams, Jr., Petitioner, v. Anthony J. Principi, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency.


Ulysee Williams, Jr. v. Department of Veterans Affairs

03A40018

February 17, 2004

.

Ulysee Williams, Jr.,

Petitioner,

v.

Anthony J. Principi,

Secretary,

Department of Veterans Affairs,

Agency.

Petition No. 03A40018

MSPB No. AT-0752-02-0332-1-I

DECISION

On October 28, 2003, petitioner filed a timely petition with the Equal

Employment Opportunity Commission asking for review of a Final Order

issued by the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) concerning his claim

of discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of

1964 (Title VII), as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq., and Section

501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended,

29 U.S.C. � 791 et seq.

Petitioner, a Part-time Readjustment Counseling Technician,

GS-0102-7, alleged he was discriminated against on the bases of race

(African-American) and disability (bilateral bunions, post traumatic

stress disorder) when he was issued a thirty day suspension, effective

June 28, 2000, for willfully using a government vehicle for unofficial

purposes over a five-day period. A hearing was held on the matter and

thereafter an MSPB Administrative Judge issued a decision in which he

found that complainant had not been discriminated against as alleged.

Petitioner filed a petition for review with the full Board, but it was

denied on September 25, 2003.

EEOC Regulations provide that the Commission has jurisdiction over

mixed case appeals on which the MSPB has issued a decision that makes

determinations on allegations of discrimination. 29 C.F.R. � 1614.303

et seq. The Commission must determine whether the decision of the

MSPB with respect to the allegation of discrimination constitutes a

correct interpretation of any applicable law, rule, regulation or policy

directive, and is supported by the evidence in the record as a whole.

29 C.F.R. � 1614.305(c).

Based upon a thorough review of the record and for the foregoing reasons,

it is the decision of the Commission to concur with the final decision

of the MSPB finding no discrimination. The Commission finds that the

MSPB's decision constitutes a correct interpretation of the laws, rules,

regulations, and policies governing this matter and is supported by

the evidence in the record as a whole. In considering this matter, the

Commission presumed, without finding, that complainant is an individual

with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act.

PETITIONER'S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (W0900)

This decision of the Commission is final, and there is no further right of

administrative appeal from the Commission's decision. You have the right

to file a civil action in an appropriate United States District Court,

based on the decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board, within

thirty (30) calendar days of the date that you receive this decision.

If you file a civil action, you must name as the defendant in the

complaint the person who is the official agency head or department head,

identifying that person by his or her full name and official title.

Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of your case in court.

"Agency" or "department" means the national organization, and not the

local office, facility or department in which you work.

RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z1199)

If you decide to file a civil action, and if you do not have or cannot

afford the services of an attorney, you may request that the Court appoint

an attorney to represent you and that the Court permit you to file the

action without payment of fees, costs, or other security. See Title VII

of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq.;

the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. �� 791, 794(c).

The grant or denial of the request is within the sole discretion of

the Court. Filing a request for an attorney does not extend your time

in which to file a civil action. Both the request and the civil action

must be filed within the time limits as stated in the paragraph above

("Right to File A Civil Action").

FOR THE COMMISSION:

______________________________

Carlton M. Hadden, Director

Office of Federal Operations

February 17, 2004

__________________

Date